About the Quality of Maps

Abstract

Periodically throughout history, advances in technology have affected cartography. Some current forces for change in cartography are interactivity, multimedia, computer-animation and the Internet. Cartographers complain of a missing quality in the maps associated with this new technology. This paper examines the meaning of quality in cartography. It is argued that only when terms such as quality are understood in a larger, external context can the goal of map-making- making better maps - be pursued. This includes esthetical and cognitive aspects as well as aspects of communication, GIS and geographic visualization.